Chagall exhibit a 'coup' for Methodist University

Saturday

An exhibit of Marc Chagall's 'The Story of the Exodus' will be on display at Methodist University through April 6.

The Biblical story of Exodus is played out on the walls of the David McCune International Art Gallery at Methodist University.

The story is in the form of 23 lithographs by Russian-French artist Marc Chagall. Moses leading the people of Israel out of slavery, his deliverance of the Ten Commandments and God's appearance in a burning bush are illustrated in bright colors.

The lithographs form "The Story of the Exodus,” which is on display at the gallery Thursday through April 6.

One of the most prestigious exhibits ever featured at the gallery, the show is accompanied by a series of related events, most notably a lecture on Friday at the Cameo Art House Theatre by Chagall's granddaughter Bella Meyer.

According to Silvana Foti, executive director of the gallery, the Methodist show marks the first time the lithographs have been displayed in the United States.

Born in Belarus in 1887, Chagall is considered a pioneer of the modernist movement and a major Jewish artist. He worked in mediums including painting, book illustrations, ceramics, tapestries and even stained glass.

Chagall's religious upbringing had a profound effect on his work. He illustrated several Biblical stories, and in 1966 he created "The Story of the Exodus." He died in 1985 at age 97.

The paintings, which are arranged chronologically in the gallery, tell how the Israelites fled slavery in Egypt, led by the prophet Moses.

Exodus includes many of the Bible's most well known stories, and many of them are depicted in Chagall's work. The exhibit includes explanations of the works, using language from the King James Bible.

"Then the angel of the Lorde appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the middes of a bush and he looked, and beholde, the bush was not consumed," reads one.

"He cast the rodde on the ground, and it was turned into a serpent and Moses fled from it," reads another.

The works are done in Chagall's signature style, which Foti calls "fluid, gestural, sensitive and harmonious." Figures such as angels float around the main action in the pictures.

"Floating figures are one of his trademarks," Foti said. "You have a lot of figures floating, but the background stabilizes them."

And while at first glance the art might seem haphazard or hastily created, Foti said a close examination reveals the painstaking detail Chagall put into the work.

Some artistic renditions of Biblical stories tend to be harsh and forbidding. Foti said that isn't the case with Chagall. His "Exodus" paintings are bright, inviting and full of color.

"I find that his work is very much a celebration of light, but he's also very much into the humanity," Foti said. "He basically loves the feel of light. That's why his colors are so bright."

Foti said landing "The Story of the Exodus" was a two-and-a-half year process. Initially, she located individual pieces that were available for display, but never a complete collection.

Through Vastari, an arts exhibition company in England, Foti was put in touch with The Art Company in Pesaro, Italy. The pieces in the Methodist exhibit were lent by private collectors through the company.

After the Methodist show, the works will go on display at the Polk Museum of Art in Lakeland, Florida.

"It was a coup," Foti said. "All the things needed to do (to secure the exhibit) was absolutely amazing."

The university is taking special cautionary measures with the works, closely controlling temperature, humidity and lighting in the gallery.

"The Story of the Exodus" is the latest in a series of high-profile exhibits at the McCune Gallery. Previous shows have featured the works of Picasso, Rodin and others.

But while Chagall's art is legendary and his legacy secure, Foti said no special knowledge is required to appreciate his work.

"Don't question all the things that are there. Chagall would rather you look at something and feel it with your heart," she said. "It's how you feel about the way he used color. Then you get close and look at the line work."

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